Mail-bag-transferring device.



l. C. JONES.

MAIL BAG TRANSFERRING DEVICE.

AiPLlcATloN HLED 1v1/w12, 191s.

l ,227,914 u Patented May 29, 191?.

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if@ "l2 J. C. IONES.

MAIL BAG TRANSFERRING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I2, 1916. 227,9w Pamnted May 29, 19W.

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LC. JONES.

MAIL BAG TRANSFERRING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2| |916. 39%?9140 latented May 29, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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MAIL BAG TRANSFERRING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I2 1916.

Lmo Pamed May 29, 1917.

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JAMES CALVIN JONES,. 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANl-A.

MAIL-BAG-TRANSFERRIN Gr DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 1917.

Application led May 12, 1916. v Serial No. 97,027.

improvements in mail bag transferring devices, and has for its object to provide an exceedingly simple and effective device of this character whereby a mail bag may be transferred from a moving train or car to a receiving device or cage situated adjacent the track.

Another object of the invention is to provide a delivery arm for transferring a mail bag from a moving train to a cage, and to provide said delivery arm with a catching arm for transferring a mail bag from a mail crane or gallows to the moving train.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a mail bag transferring device wherein the bag to be delivered from the moving train is suspended from a delivery arm by means of a suitable mechanism which is actuated by a portion of a cage situated beside the track to release the bag at the proper' time, so.that saidmail bag will positively enter the cage, thereby preventing the loss or mutilation of said bag or its contents.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a receiving cage with an adjustable running board or releasing ramp which may be adjusted to compensate for the di'erent heights of cars, the diiferent positions of the mountings or the different levels of the road bed and the ground adjacent thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for regulating the position of the delivery arm when in use.

Other objects of the invention will be more fully brought out in the specification.

With these ends in view, my invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by numeral to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which- Figure l, is a fragmental side elevation of a car showing my delivery arm applied thereto, the dotted lines illustrating it in its lowered position and showing the cage in section as well as the position of the bag to be transferred to the car.

Fig. 2, is a plan view thereof, the car being shown in section to clearly illustrate the construction of the device.

Fig. 3, is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the cage illustrating the means of adjusting the running board or releasing ramp.

Fig. 4l, is a section of the line l-l of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5, is an enlarged plan view of the releasing mechanism showing the roller in section, a portion of the rod on which the latter is journaled being broken away.

Fig. 6, is an end view thereof showing in dotted lines the manner in which a mail bag is fastened thereto.

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the positions assumed by the diiferent elements when the mail bag is released.

Fig. 8, is a fragmental side elevation of the door frame, showing the mode of mounting the delivery arm and the means of regulat-ing its position when in use.

Fig. 9, is a section at the line 9-9- of Fig. S.

Fig. l0, is a fragmental side elevation of the upper end of the regulating bracket or casing. i

Fig. 11, is a section of th'e regulator at the line 11-11 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 12, is a perspective view of the sliding journal block.

In carrying out my invention as here embodied 2 represents a car having a door 3 and hand rails l adjacent thereto, said car adapted to run upon the track 5. Beside the track is situated the ordinary and well known mail bag crane or gallows 6 arranged to hold a mail bag 7 to be transferred to the moving train or car, said bag being drawn in at the center by any suitable means, such as a strap so as to separate the contents and form a smaller diameter or neck, at which point the bag is engaged by the catching arm.

Adjacent the mail bag crane and also beside the track is situated my improved mail bag receiving cage 8 constructed in any suitable manner to produce a receiving compartment open at the top and one end. The bottom 9 of the receiving compartment is preferably formed from sheet metal and one end thereof is curved upward as at 10 to form the closed end of the receiving cornpartment. The uprights 11 of the cage are preferably formed of angle irons, to which are bolted, riveted or otherwise secured the side pieces and bottom supports. To the upper ends of those uprights adjacent the track are adjustably secured the extensions 12 in any suitable manner as by bolts 13 passing through the uprights 11 and through any one of a series of holes 14 formed in each of the extensions, the parts being held in position by nuts 15 threaded on the bolts.

By producing the uprights 11 from angle irons the adjustable extensions can be placed on the inside of the angle as plainly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, thus requiring but one bolt and nut to hold each extension in place, said extensions being prevented from sidewise movement by one of the webs of the angle iron. To these adjustable extensions 12 is secured the running board or releasing ramp 16 which if found desirable may also be formed from angle iron, and is situated on the side of the cage adjacent the track and runs a sufficient distance lengthwise thereo-f to cause the release of a mail bag at a proper point in the cage and to support the delivery arm until the same is in close proximity to the bag to be transferred to the moving train or car.

The near end of the running board or releasing ramp or that end 'with which the delivery arm first contacts is curved downward as at 17 to act as a guide for the delivery arm and to prevent the latter from coming in contact with the other parts of the cage, which might cause accidents or loss to property or injury and loss of life. rl`he end of this curved portion 17 is supported in any suitable manner as by a brace 18 secured thereto and adjustably attached to one of the end uprights by a bolt 19 passing through said brace and arranged to register witlrany one of the holes 2O in said upright.

The running board or releasing ramp 16 when in proper position for use should be approximately on line with the center of the bag 7 when the same is attached to the mail bag crane, in position to be transferred to the train or car. To the side frames or sills of the door 3 of the car are secured the delivery arm supporting boxes 21, more plainly illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 12. Each of these boxes comprises a body 22 having a back 24 and two ends 25, said back being provided with attaching lugs 26 through which pass suitable bolts or their equivalents 27 for fastening the boxes in position upon the outside of the car. Each of the ends 25 has a leg or extension 28 projecting outward from its outermost edge at or adjacent one side edge, and with these legs or extensions register notches 29 formed in one edge of the cover 30, said registering legs and notches preventing lengthwise movement of the cover, and thereby relieving considerable strain from the bolts 31 or their equivalent fastening means which pass through the cover and are secured into the ends of the body. The back of the body and the cover are each provided with an internal longitudinal groove or track 32, and in these grooves is slidably mounted the sliding j ournal block 33 more plainly illustrated in Fig.V

12. The block is provided with oppositely disposed projections 34 which register with the grooves or tracks 32, and said block is further provided with a hole 35 passing entirely therethrough.

The journal block is normally held against the lower end of the box in which it is mounted by means of a helical spring 36, one end of which rests against said block, and the other end against the upper end of the box in which said block is mounted.

1n actual practice there are two delivery arm supporting boxes at the mail delivery door of the car, one of which is situated at each side, and in the sliding journal blocks of these supporting boxes are journaled the` ends of the supporting rod 37 carrying the hanger 3S having adjacent one end a projection 39 in which is fastened the catching arm 40. To the rear of the projection 39 is formed with the hanger the bearing 41 having an opening 42 passing therethrough in which is situated the delivery arm rod 43, the same projecting beyond the hanger in opposite directions and held in a stationary position by a suitable set screw 44. On the inner end of the rod 43 is mounted a suitable handle 45, whereby the device may be operated. On the outer end of the delivery arm rod 43 is journaled the roller 46 comprising end bearings 47 and 48, the latter if found desirable having the gear 49 formed integral therewith. The end bearings 47 and 48 are mounted in the ends of a tube 50, j

the latter being covered with a suitable resilient or cushion member 51 such as a rubber tube or section of hose. The endwise movement of the roller is limited in one direction by a collar 52 mounted upon the rod 43 and secured in place by a set screw 53. The outer extremity of the rod 43 is squared as at 54, and on this squared end is mounted the. frame 55 of the releasing mechanism, thereby limiting the endwise movement of the roller in the opposite direction, and if found desirable a washer 55a may be mounted between the outer end of the roller and the frame 55 of the releasing mechamsm.

lThe frame 55 consists of the body 56 having a squared opening 57 with which registers the squared end 54 of the rod 43, and the opposite end of said body is bifurcated to provide the legs 58 each of which is provided with an opening for the passage of the catch 59 carried by the bell crank .lever 60 pivoted to the body at 61 a slight distance above the arms 62, and the handle portion 63 of the bell crank lever is provided with an opening 64 through which passes the cam lever 65, the latter being pivoted between the arms 62 as at 66 and having a notch 67 in one edge thereof adapted to register with a pin 68 carried by the handle portion 63 of the bell crank lever 60, said pin projecting across the opening 64. One end of the cam lever projects below the arms 62 and is connected with the lower end oi the bell crank lever through the medium of a coiled spring 69. The opposite end of the cam lever 65 projects upwardly between the arms 70 formed with the body 56 at its upper end and projects therefrom at approximately right angles.

In the arms 70 is journaled a short shaft 71 carrying a cam bracket 72 situated between the arms 70 and having a cam roller shaft 7 8 mounted thereon on which is journaled the cam roller 74 adapted to engage the upper end of the cam lever 65 during its revolutions if said cam lever is set. One end of thevshort shaft 71 projects beyond one of the arms 70 and on this projecting end of the shaft is mounted the pinion 75 adapted to mesh with the gear 49 carried by the roller 46. The frame is mounted on the rod 43 so that the legs 58 will depend therefrom or project downward as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and said frame is secured to the rod 43 by means of a set screw 76 or its equivalent.

The arms 62 carry a stationary handhold 77 so that when the mechanism is to be set7 said handhold and the handle portion 63 and the bell crank lever are each taken hold of, and said handle portion 63 drawn toward the handhold 77 lhen one of the mail bags 7 is to be attached to the delivery arm the releasing mechanism is opened as shown in Fig. 7, the ring 78 on one end of the mail bag is inserted between the legs 58 as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6, the handle portion 63 of the bell crank lever 60 is then drawn toward the stationary handhold 77 which forces the. catch 59 through the opening in the legs and through the ring of the mail bag, thereby securely attaching the mail bag to the delivery arm.

This movement of the bell crank lever 60 increases the tension of the coiled spring 69 and tends to force the upper end of the cam lever 65 toward the cam bracket or toward the outer ends of the arms 70, so that when the bell crank lever 60 is in the proper position the pin 68 will register with the notch 67 in the cam lever and securely lock the parts in their closed positions as shownin Fig. 6.

When the mail bag is to be released the delivery arm is held in that position which will bring the roller 46 into contact with the running board or releasing ramp, thereby causing said roller to revolve and through the medium of the gear 49 and the pinion 75, the cam bracket 72 will be revolved, bringing the cam roller 74 into contact with the upper or free end of the cam lever to release the pin 68 from the notch 67, and the action of said cam lever and the coiled spring 69 will draw the catch 59 out-ward and release the mail bag.

When the hanger is placed in position a buffer ring 79 is placed upon the supporting rod 37 between one end of the hanger and one of the supporting boxes to relieve the shock incident to catching a Inail bag, and said buffer ring is made preferably of rubber. The hanger 38 is also provided with a pair of oppositely disposed sockets 80 in either of which may be placed the detachable stop rod 81, the same being held against accidental displacement by a pin or itsequivalent 82. On the inner edge of the door is mounted the improved regu-- lator 83 or means for stopping and positioning the delivery arm in order that the roller for actuating the releasing mechanism will come in contact with-the running board or releasing ramp to cause the parts to be operated for releasing the mail bag, and this regulator comprises a plate 84 secured at each end thereof to the car by means of bolts 85 or their equivalent, said plate having a hollowed out portion 86 and a slot 87, the upper end of which is enlarged as at 88.

To the plate is attached the adjustable stop 89 comprising a top 90, a bottom 91, a back 92 and a front 93, the back having a 'l' projection 94 adapted to slide in the slot 87, the head of said T projection passing through the enlarged portion of the slot 88 and entering the lowest portion 86. The back is also provided with a pair of arms 95 projecting at right angles thereto and engaging the outer faces of the sides of the plate 84 as plainly shown in Fig. 11. rlhe stop 89 is also provided with a latch 96 carrying pins 97 which pass through the back 92 and arranged to register with a series of openings 98 formed in the front face of the plate 84 on each side of the slot 87. The latch is provided with a stem projecting therefrom and passing through the front 93, and this stem has a spring 99 coiled thereabout, one end resting against the front93, and the other end against a portion of the latch to normally force the latch in that direction which will cause the pins 97 to enter the holes 9S. The latch is actuated by a handle 100 secured thereto and passing through a slot in the bottom 91.

In use the bag is hung upon the mail bag crane or gallows at the side of the track, and the one to be delivered at the station or transferred from the moving train or car is attached by one of its rings to the releasing mechanism as shown in Fig. 6. As the train or car approaches the delivery and catching station, the clerk within the car throws the delivery and catching arm outward by drawing down upon the handle 45, and the position of this delivery arm will be governed by the regulator, said regulator having been previously adjusted to the running board or releasing ramps of the rod on which they are used. As the handle 45 is drawn downward to extend the delivery arm, the stop rod will contact with the top 90 of the adjustable regulator and hold the delivery arm in that position which will cause the roller 46 to engage the running board or releasing ramp 16 under pressure produced by the tension of the springs 36 in the supporting boxes 21.

As soon as the roller 46 engages the running board or releasing ramp 16, said roller will be revolved and actuate the releasing mechanism, so as to draw the catch 59 out of the ring of the mail bag carried by the delivery arm, and as said mail bag is released it will drop into the cage 8, and if the momentum of the train'or car is very great the mail bag as it drops into the cage will fall upon the bottom or floor and slide along the same and up the curved or end portion .thereof where the friction and reverse movement will cause the mail bag to slow down and momentarily stop and then return to the bottom of the receiving compartment of the cage.

After the mail bag being transferred from the train or car is released the roller 46 continues to run along the running board or releasing ramp 16 until the end thereof is reached adjacent which point is situated the' bag to be transferred to the moving train. The bag to' be thus transferred to the moving train is hanging upon the mail bag crane or gallows with the center thereof on line with the running board or releasing ramp 16. The catching arm 40 which projects from the hanger 38 will engage the contracted portion of the mail bag hanging upon the mail bag crane, said contracted portion of the mail bag to enter the crotch of the catching arm 40, where it will be firmly held until the device upon the train is lowered, at which time the mail bag may be removed from the catching arm.

When the device upon the train is in its lowered position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the outer end of the catching arm 40 will rest upon one of the hand rails 4, and then will prevent the accidental displacement ofn the bag which has been transferred to the train, while permitting its ready removal, and will also position the delivery arm, so that a mail bag to be transferred from the train may be readily attached to a releasing mechanism by the clerk.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction as herein shown, as these may be varied within the limits of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, is-

1. A mail bag transferring' device comprising a hanger supported upon a car, a delivery arm rod carried by said hanger, a releasing mechanism carried by the outer end of said rod, and a roller mounted en said rod and geared to the releasing mechanism whereby the latter will be actuated when a rotary motion is imparted to the roller.

2. A mail bag transferring device comprising a hanger supported upon a car, a delivery arm rod carried by said hanger, a releasing mechanism carried by the outer end of said rod, a roller rotatably mounted on said rod, gears for transmitting motion from the roller to the releasing mechanism when said roller is rotated, and means arranged in the path of travel of the roller when in" its raised position for imparting a rotary motion to said roller.

3. A mail bag transferring device comprising a hanger supported upon a car, a delivery arm rod carried by said hanger, a releasing mechanismcarried by the outer end of said rod, a roller rotatably mounted on said rod, gears for transmitting motion from the roller to the releasing mechanism when said roller is rotated, and a running board or releasing ramp situated in the path of travel of the roller when in its raised position for imparting a rotary motion to said roller.

4. A mail bag transferring device comprising a hanger supported upon a car, a delivery arm rod carried by said hanger, a releasing mechanism carried by the,4 outer end of said rod, a roller rotatably mounted on said rod, gears for transmitting motion from the roller to the releasing mechanism when said roller is rotated, a running board or releasing ramp situated in the path of travel of the roller when in its raised position for imparting a rotary motion to said roller, and a cage situated adjacent the releasing ramp, and in the path of travel of abag carried by the releasing mechanism adapted to receive the bag when it is released.

5. A mail bag transferring device comprising a hanger supported upon a car, a delivery arm rod carried by said hanger, a roller journaled on said rod, a gear carried by said roller, a releasing mechanism frame mounted on the outer end of said rod, said frame being bifurcated to produce a pair of parallel downwardly projecting legs, a bell crank lever pivoted to the frame, a catch carried by one end of said bell crank lever passing through the legs of the frame for locking the ring of a mail bag between said legs, a cam lever also pivoted to said frame, said cam levers having a notch therein, a pin carried by the bell crank lever adapted to register with said notch for locking the bell crank lever in its closed position, a coiled spring connected with said levers, a short shaft journaled in the frame, a cam bracket mounted on said shaft provided with a cam roller adapted to engage the free end of the cam lever when said cam bracket is rotated, and the cam lever is in the path of travel of said cam bracket, and a pinion mounted on said short shaft meshing with the gear carried by the roller.

6. A mail bag transferring device comprising a hanger supported upon a car, a delivery arm rod carried by said hanger, a roller journaled on said rod, a gear carried by said roller, a releasing mechanism frame mounted on the outer end of said rod, said frame being bifurcated to produce a pair of parallel downwardly projecting legs, a bell crank lever pivoted to the frame, a catch carried by one end of said bell crank lever passing through the legs of the frame for locking the ring of a mail bag between said legs, a cam lever also pivoted to said frame, said cam levers having a notch therein, a pin earried by the bell crank lever adapted to reg ister with said notch for locking the bell crank lever in its closed position, a coiled spring connected with said levers, a short shaft journaled in the frame, a cam bracket mounted on Said shaft provided with a cam roller adapted to engage the free end of the cam lever when said cam bracket is rotated, and the cam lever is in the path of travel of said cam bracket, and a pinion mounted on said short shaft meshing with the gear carried by the roller in combination with means for imparting a rotary motion to said roller.

7. A mail bag transferring device comprising a hanger supported upon a car, a delivery arm rod carried by said hanger, a roller journaled on said rod, a gear carried by said roller, a releasing mechanism frame mountedon the outer end of said rod, said frame being bifurcated to produce a pair of parallel downwardly projecting legs, a bell crank lever pivoted to the frame, a catch car ried by one end of said bell crank lever passing through the legs of the frame for locking the ring of a mail bag between said legs, a cam lever also pivoted to said frame, said cam levers having a notch therein, a pin carried by the bell crank lever adapted to register with said notch for locking the bell crank lever in its closed position, a coiled spring connected with said levers, a short shaft journaled in the frame, a cam bracket mounted on said shaft provided with a cam roller adapted to engage the free end of the cam lever when said cam bracket is rotated, and the cam lever is in the path of travel of said cam bracket, and a pinion mounted on said short shaft meshing with the gear carried by the roller in combination with a releasing ramp situated in the path of travel of said roller in its raised position for imparting a rotary motion to said roller to actuate the releasing mechanism.

8. A mail bag transferring device comprising a hanger supported upon a car, a delivery arm rod carried by said hanger, a roller journaled on said rod, a gear carried by said roller, a releasing mechanism frame mounted on the outer end of said rod, said framebeing bifurcated to produce a pair of parallel downwardly projecting legs, a bell crank lever pivoted to the frame, a catch carried by one end of said bell crank lever passing through the legs of the frame for locking the ring of a mail bag between said legs, a cam lever also pivoted to said frame, said cam levers having a notch therein, a pin carried by the bell crank lever adapted to register with said notch for locking the bell crank lever in its closed position, a coiled spring connected with said levers, a short shaft journaled in the frame, a cam bracket mounted on said shaft provided with a cam roller adapted to engage the free end of the cam lever when said cam bracket is rotated, and the cam lever is in the path of travel of said,cam bracket, and a pinion mounted on said short shaft meshing with the gear carried by the roller in combination with a cage situated beside the path of travel of the car to which the delivery device is attached to receive a mail bag released by the releasing mechanism, 'and a releasing ramp carried by the near side of said cage arranged in the path of travel of the roller when the latter 'is in a raised position to impart a rotary motion to said roller for actuating the releasing mechanism.

9. A mail bag transferring device comprising a hanger supported upon a car, a delivery arm rod carried by said hanger, a roller journaled on said rod, a gear carried by said roller, a releasing mechanism frame mounted on the outer end of said rod, said frame being bifurcated to produce a pair of parallel downwardly projecting legs, a bell crank lever pivoted to the frame, a catch carried by one end of said bell crank lever passing through the legs of the frame for locking the ring of a mail bag between said legs, a earn lever also pivoted to said frame,

said cam levers having a notch therein, a

pin carried by the bell crank lever adapted 'to register with said notch for locking the bell crank lever in its closed position, a coiled spring connected with said levers, a short shaft j ournaled in the frame, a cam bracket mounted on said shaft provided with a cam roller adapted to engage the free end of the cam lever when said cam bracket is rotated, and the cam lever is in the path of travel of said cam bracket, and a pinion mounted on said short shaft meshing with the gear carried by the roller in combination with a vcage situated beside the path of travel of the car to which the delivery device is attached to receive a mail bag released by the releasing mechanism, a releasing` ramp having one end thereof curved downward and means for adjustably securing said releasing rainp to the near side of the cage.

10. AA mail bag transferring device comprising a hanger supported upon a car, a delivery arm rod carried by said hanger, a roller journaled on said rod, a gear carried by said roller, a releasing` Ymechanism frame mounted `on the outer end of said rod, said frame being bifurcated to produce a pair 4of parallel downwardly projecting legs, a bell crank lever pivoted to the frame, a catch carried by one end of said bell Crank lever passing through the legs of the frame for locking the ring of a mail bag between said legs, Va cam lever also pivoted to said frame, said cam levers having a 'notch therein, a p'in carried by the vbell crank 'lever adapted to register with said notch for locking the bell crank lever in its closed position, a coiled spring connected avith said levers, va short shaft journa'led in the frame, a cam bracket mounted on said shaft `provided with -a cam roller adapted to engage the free end of the cam lever when said 'cam bracket is rotated, and the cam le'v'er is in the path of travel vof said cam bracket, and a pinion mounted on said short shaft meshing with 'the gear carried by the roller, and a catching arm carried by the hanger 'in combination with a cage open at one end and at the top situated kin the path lof :travel of the Areleasing mechanism, a releasing -ram'p adjustably secured to the near side of the cage and situated lin the :p'ath'of travel of the lroller for imparting a rotary motion thereto, vand a -mail bag crane arranged to support amail bag in the path of travel ofthe catching arm.

1l. A mail bag transferring device comprising incombination a pair of supporting boxes secured 'to a car, journal blocks slidably mounted in said boxes, springs for norma-lly forcing said journal blocks toward the lowerends ofv said boxes, a supporting rod journaled in said blocks, a hanger provided with supports carried by said supporting rod, a stop rod detachably 'mounted in either of said supports,a regulator secured to the car situated in the path of travel of the stop rod, a delivery arm rod carried by ythe hanger and projecting in opposite directions therefrom, a handle secured te the inner end of said rod, a roller journaled on the outer portion of said rod, a releasing Vmechanism carried by the outer end of said rod, a train vof gears connecting said releasing mechanism with the roller whereby said releasing mechanism is actuated when a rotary motion is imparted to said roller, and 'a releasing ramp situated in the path of travel of said roller when the latter is in :a raised position for .imparting a rotary motion to said roller.

12. A mail bag transferring device comprisingv in combination a vpair of supporting boxes secured to a car, .journal blocks -slidably mounted in said boxes, springs for normally forcing said journal blocks toward the lower ends of said boxes, a supporting rod -jou-rnaled in said blocks, a hanger provided with supports carried yby said Isupporting rod, a stop rod detachably mounted in either of vsaid supportsa regulator secured to the car situated, in -t-he path of travell of the stop rod, a delivery arm'rod carried by the hanger and .projecting in opposite directions therefrom, a handle secured to the inner end of Asaid rod, aroller journaled on the outer portion of said rod, a releasing mechanism carried by the outer end of said rod, a train ofgears connecting said releasing mechanism with the rollerr whereby said releasing -mechanism is actuated when a rotary motion is imparted to said roller, a catching arm carried by the -hanger,a cage `having a bottom, one end of which is curvedupward to form lthe closed end of the cage, the opposite end of said cage being open, `ja releasingramp carried by the near side of the cage -situated in the path of travel of the roller for imparting a rotary -motion thereto, and a mail bag:

crane situated adjacent the closed end ofY the cage and arranged to lsuspend a mail bag in the path of travel of the catching arm.

13. In a devicev of the character stated the combination with a hanger for a Imail bag delivery arm,said hanger having'sockets, a stop rod detachably mounted in either of said sockets, anda regulator comprising a plate having a hollowed out portion and provided with a longitudinal-slot, the upper end of which is enlarged and further provided 'with holes on each side lof "said slot, an adjustable stop 'having a T projection and having arms projecting therefrom, the T `projection lfitting `in the longitudinal slot and the arm engagingtheedges ofthe plate, a latch mounted 'on said sto'p, v'a stem projecting therefrom and 'passing lthrough 'a portion'of the stop, pins'carriedby-the latch c passing through another portion of the stop and arranged to register with certain of the holes in the plate, a handle carried by said latch and a spring coiled about the stein for normally forcing the latch in that direction which will cause the pins to enter the holes in the plate, said adjustable stop situated in the path of travel of the stop rod for governing the working position of the delivery arm.

14. A inail bag transferring device c0mprising in combination a delivery arm arranged to be used by a car, a cage comprising uprights, two sides, a bottom having one end curved upward to form an end, a running board having the near end curved downward, extensions secured to the running board and adjustably attached to the uprights of the cage, and a brace secured to the downturned end of the running board and adjustably attached to one of the'end uprights.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto aiiXed my signature in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES CALVIN JONES.

Witnesses:

A. E. DOWNEY, E. WARNER oNsALL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

